There is a weak, but statistically significant, association between aerobic fitness and self-reported instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) in persons with multiple sclerosis (MS), according to a recent study. 62 persons with MS completed an incremental exercise test as a measure of aerobic fitness (VO_2peak), a demographic questionnaire, IADL scale, and underwent a neurologic examination for characterization of disability level (ie, Expanded Disability Status Scale [EDSS]) in a single session. Researchers found:

• The analysis revealed a weak, but statistically significant, link between aerobic fitness and total IADL score (ie, r = 0.28 [0.03; 0.49]).
• Those reporting dependence in different IADL categories (eg, shopping, food preparation, housekeeping, laundry, responsibility for own medication) presented with lower aerobic fitness compared with those reporting independence, although the difference was not statistically significant.